Root canal treatment: Everything you need to know
Does the mere mention of root canal treatment scare you? You might have heard people explaining their experiences, or if you have already undergone a root canal treatment you might know the anxiety associated with it. But is it something to be really scared of?
The term “root canal” is a part of the tooth submerged in the gums which consists of nerves, blood vessels etc. This term is now commonly used for the dental procedure done to treat the root canal from infections.
Is root canal treatment really painful?
It’s a common belief that root canal treatments are extremely painful. Earlier root canal treatments were relatively painful but with recent advancements (for e.g.; fine needles,painless anesthesia, advanced instruments) this entire procedure has become painless. It is more painful to live with a decayed tooth than to undergo root canal treatment. Dentists aim at making your experience as comfortable as possible.
When is it required?
RCT is required when the root canal (pulp and tissues inside it) is inflamed/ infected or injured.
The symptoms consist of:
- Pain (mild to severe) and swelling near the affected tooth.
- Discoloration of teeth can also be seen.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold stimuli.
- Sharp throbbing kind of pain, increases at night or while lying down.
Causes:
- Decayed tooth, entire tooth is destroyed. Sometimes the teeth might have a tiny cavity but it progresses to the root canal, so the teeth may look white and fine to you but the root is affected and there’s a need for root canal treatment
- Trauma- Ever experienced a fall and the tooth become discoloured (trauma to the teeth ,fracture till the level of the canal)
If you delay your root canal treatment it may lead to abscess/pus discharge and eventually severe infection.
The procedure for root canal treatment are as follows:
- Local anaesthesia- numbing the area to be treated.
- Cleaning the bacteria- removing the infected portion of the tooth.
- Cleaning & shaping- the canal is shaped in a desirable way to facilitate filling.
- Obturation – is basically filling the canals that have been treated and are infection free with materials that will prevent further infection and are non-toxic to the body.
How much does a root canal cost?
It depends on numerous factors like the city you live in, the materials being used, the severity of the case. Hence it varies from one person to another.
After root canal treatment
Follow the instructions given by your dentist strictly. You might experience some pain and discomfort after the treatment for a couple of days. You can adhere to the medications prescribed by your dentist. Take extra care while brushing your teeth and chewing.
Root canal might seem like an unpleasant experience but it is actually a blessing in disguise as it helps to preserve the tooth and the roots instead of extracting them to prevent infection.
The best way to prevent a root canal treatment is to go for regular check-ups, if you have a habit of going to the dentist only when there is severe/unbearable pain there is a high chance your tooth already requires a root canal treatment because it’s at a stage where the infection has reached the pulp(soft tissue inside the canal).
Ask your dentist about the procedure and newer technologies used to reduce pain and make your experience comfortable.
Root canal treatments don’t cause pain, they relieve it.
By Dr Shagorika Choudhury
